Is Telegram Legit & Safe?
Telegram holds a 3.8 star average from 17,371,853 ratings. It is a real, listed app, but the volume of 1-3 star reviews below is worth reading before you commit.
- Last updated
- October 22, 2026
- Installs
- 1,000,000,000+
- Price
- Free, in-app purchases
- Age rating
- Mature 17+
- Developer
- Telegram FZ-LLC
Based on public Google Play data and user reviews. Not affiliated with Telegram FZ-LLC.
Do Telegram reviewers call it a scam?
Out of the 373 most recent 1-3 star Google Play reviews of Telegram we analyzed. These words also cover reviews about scammers or fake profiles on the app, not only claims that the app itself is a scam, so read the complaints before drawing a conclusion.
Counted with English keywords from the DE store, so reviews in other languages are undercounted. Updated 2026-11-04.
What users complain about in Telegram
Users primarily complain about Telegram requiring payment for features that were previously free, including login and account access. Many report technical issues like login failures, account hacks, and sudden loss of access. Performance problems such as lag, high data usage, and unreliable connectivity are also frequent complaints.
Summarized from 426 recent 1-3 star reviews.
Telegram: frequently asked questions
Is Telegram legit?
Telegram is a legitimate app listed on the Google Play with a 3.8 star rating from 17,371,853 ratings. "Legit" and "good for you" are different questions: the 1-3 star reviews below show where real users run into trouble.
Is Telegram safe to download?
Telegram is distributed through the official Google Play, which screens apps before listing. The main safety questions for most users are around subscriptions, data permissions, and billing. The negative reviews below surface those concerns when users report them.
Is Telegram a scam?
Telegram is a real, store-listed app rather than a scam link. As with any app, scan the negative reviews below for billing or subscription complaints so there are no surprises after install. In the 373 most recent 1-3 star reviews we analyzed, 15 use the words scam, scammer, fraud, fake or rip-off, and 2 mention charges, subscriptions, refunds or canceling.
Why does Telegram have negative reviews?
Even well-rated apps collect 1-3 star reviews when users hit specific friction: crashes, paywalls, account issues, or missing features. The reviews below group these complaints so you can judge whether they affect your use case.
Should I download Telegram?
Read the negative reviews below before downloading Telegram. Its rating suggests a real chance the recurring complaints could affect you.